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He said: “After meetings and evaluations and consultations, the council eventually came back and said that some form of entertainment could work down there. I genuinely think what got us over the line was the City of Culture bid. I imagine a lot of people would have given up, but my interest was long-standing, I’ve been putting on events like this in Stoke-on-Trent for years, and I’m a local guy so I think I was a safe bet.

The Move is coming to Spode Works

“A warehouse project like The Move at Spode has never taken place in Stoke-on-Trent before – not a pop-up event of this nature, an underground music event akin to those in London or Manchester. It’s a huge step forward for the city.

“There are lots of great buildings in the Potteries but there was absolutely nowhere else I could envisage this event happening other than Spode.”

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Lee has worked incredibly hard to make The Move happen this year – eager to prove to City of Culture judges that there’s more to Stoke-on-Trent’s art scene than simply pottery.

“The time scale has been daunting. Usually we’d want to have a six month run-up to the event, not an eight week run-up. Never in a million years would I usually take on such a project in such a short space of time but it was done in a bit of a rush to happen just before we find out the outcome of the City of Culture bid in December.

Lee Fredericks at Spode Works

“I want to show that culture is not just about arts exhibitions or pottery. There has been a music scene in Stoke-on-Trent for a long time. I’ve been putting on events under The Move brand for around six years. There’s a lot of people who are very excited about this event. It really appeals to anyone with an interest, past or present, in dance music.”

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Tickets have been on sale for a matter of weeks, and already more than half of them have sold out.

“If you really want to make everyone happy, you should sell ice creams for a living. But we wanted to, and I have tried my best to, cater for everyone. Pete Bromley has been Stoke-on-Trent’s number one house DJ since about 1993, and he has a big legion of fans. Matt Erst is also a well-known local DJ.

The Spode Works sign

“Solardo is red hot at the moment, this year’s big thing, so good for the younger crowd. Lots of people will know Steve Lawler as the ‘King of Space’ in Ibiza. For the older, more eclectic audience there’s Chicago’s ‘godfather of house music’ Derrick Carter, and for all the big DJs, Derrick Carter is usually their favourite. Manu Gonzalez is flying from Ibiza and he’s up-and-coming.

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“I believe everybody needs to do their bit for Stoke-on-Trent, if they have any power to do so. It is massively important for our city.”

The Move at Spode takes place from 8pm on December 2 to 6am on December 3, at the China Hall Old Spode Works. Last entry is at 11pm on December 2. The minimum age restriction is 18. For more information visit themoveuk.com.